Celerino Gomesindo Montano passed away Monday April 18, 2011 in Cortez, CO. He was born on April 26, 1940 to Emiliano Montano Sr. and Mary Onofre Martinez in Canjilon, NM.

Growing up in Canjilon, he was raised in an era in which hard work was expected – hauling water for drinking, bathing and dishes, and wood hauling for heat, cooking and light.

Celerino and his brothers went to a wedding in Utah when Celerino was 16 and he never returned to New Mexico. While exploring the surrounding areas, Celerino found the love of his life, Jennie Elizabeth Benally, daughter of the late Randolph and Sadie (Nakai) Benally of Bluff, UT and the Clan of Bitterwater. He raised Jennie’s four children, Marie, Clara, Shirley and Randy. He and Jennie also had their own children, Celerino Jr., Andy, Felix and Veronica.

He was employed by the City of Monticello sanitation department from 1960 to 1993. He also worked for 10 Wheeler Café, with Raymond & Jean Bond. Celerino and Jennie hoed beans when they were younger, and worked for the late Earl Randall and Randall Farms in Montezuma Canyon.

He taught his children how to work from an early age. Father, teacher, instructor, Celerino taught them how to ride a bike. When we would fall, he put them on the bike and they would try again.

Celerino was diagnosed with COPD. For the past few years, he struggled with pain and trying to breath.

Celerino Montano is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jennie Montano of Monticello; children Marie (Robert) Martinez of Monticello, Clara (Johnny) Wells of Tulsa, OK, Shirley (Waldo) Valdez of Cortez, Andy Montano of Monticello, Felix Montano of Cortez and Veronica Montano of Monticello.

Siblings Della (Frank) Ocana, Carmen Trujillo, Benny Montano all of Albuquerque, NM, Gusman Montano of Canjilon, NM, and Jennie Garcia of Vernal, UT. He is preceded in death by sons Randy and Celerino Jr.

Services were April 22, 2011 at the LDS North Chapel in Monticello and interment in the Monticello Cemetery.

Card of thanks

Thanks to those who helped Celerino at Mercy Medical Center in Durango, Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, Kathrin from Hospice and her staff, Lincare, Bishop Duke, friends, family, and others who help us.

Thanks to San Juan Mortuary of Blanding, Danny Palmer, director. For more information, log onto www.sanjuanmortuary.com or felixdrummer67@myspace.com.

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